The Ottawa Senators just got a much-needed dose of good news: Linus Ullmark is back at practice.
After nearly a month away from the team on a personal leave, the Senators’ top goaltender has returned to the ice, and while there’s no official word yet on when he’ll be game-ready, his presence at practice is a clear sign that a return could be coming soon. And for a team that’s been fighting to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference playoff race, that return can’t come soon enough.
Let’s be honest - the Sens felt Ullmark’s absence. In the eight games since he stepped away, Ottawa went 3-5, struggling to find consistency in net and dropping further behind in the standings.
Right now, they sit at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with a 22-19-5 record, trailing the Boston Bruins by seven points for the final wild card spot. That’s not an insurmountable gap, but it’s a tough hill to climb - especially when your goaltending situation is in flux.
With Ullmark out, the Senators had to scramble. They brought in veteran James Reimer on a contract, a clear signal that the team wasn’t satisfied with the performance of their remaining options between the pipes. It was a stopgap move, but one that highlighted just how much the organization values stability in net - and how much they missed Ullmark.
Off the ice, things got noisy. Rumors swirled online about the nature of Ullmark’s absence, to the point where the organization stepped in and publicly shut them down.
Captain Brady Tkachuk also came to Ullmark’s defense, dismissing the speculation and standing firmly behind his teammate. That kind of leadership matters, and it speaks to the respect Ullmark commands in the locker room.
Now, with Ullmark back practicing, the focus shifts to what he can bring on the ice in the second half of the season. Before his leave, Ullmark wasn’t exactly lighting it up - he posted a 14-8-5 record with a 2.95 goals-against average, a .881 save percentage, and one shutout. Those numbers are below what we’ve come to expect from a goalie of his caliber, especially considering the bar he set in previous years.
But here’s the thing: a second-half surge is still very much on the table. Goaltending is as much about rhythm and confidence as it is about raw numbers. If Ullmark can settle back into his game and give the Senators steady play in net, it could be the spark this team needs to make a push.
Ottawa isn’t out of the playoff picture yet - but they’re running out of runway. Ullmark’s return doesn’t guarantee a postseason berth, but it gives the Sens a fighting chance. And right now, that’s exactly what they need.